The data is taken at Ucas's advisory closing date for UK and EU applicants, although it is possible to apply up until the start of the academic year.

Anthony McClaran, Ucas chief executive, said: "These figures are encouraging for all who believe the expansion of higher education is good for individuals and good for our society.

"Not only has last year's dip in applications been reversed, but application levels are now higher than in 2005, which had previously broken all records. The increase is particularly marked in England.

"It's also good to see evidence of effective competition for international students, with double digit increases in the key markets of the India, Pakistan and the USA.

John Cridland, deputy director- general at the CBI, the UK's leading business organisation, which speaks for 240,000 firms, said: "The increased popularity of science, technology, engineering and maths courses is particularly pleasing to employers, who are concerned about skills shortages in these areas.

"The figures suggest that the Government's renewed focus on promoting these subjects is starting to bear fruit.

"To ensure these increases continue we must recruit and retain more specialist teachers, reform careers advice for teenagers and focus more investment on school science labs."